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Wilmington sets private screening to usher in 'Iron Man 3'

Published: Wednesday, April 24, 2013 at 9:10 p.m.

Last Modified: Wednesday, April 24, 2013 at 9:10 p.m.

Marvel has invited "Iron Man 3" crew members, state and local lawmakers, including Gov. Pat McCrory, and film industry leaders to special screenings of the state's largest production in Wilmington on Sunday.

For those who didn't work on the film, but still want to celebrate the local production in style, a few tickets remain for a red-carpet party Thursday that will raise money for the New Hanover Regional Medical Center's new Family House.

The event, which begins at 5:30 p.m. at Homewood Suites Wilmington at 6732 Swan Mill Road, will feature munchies, drinks and a DJ. Black-tie is optional.

Hosted by A Boxed Event and sponsored by Land Rover Cape Fear, the party and proceeds from a raffle will help fund a new hospitality house for oncology patients who have traveled from out of town, or heart patients arriving for early morning procedures at the medical center. Construction on the facility is expected to begin this summer.

If you'd rather skip all the fanfare and just buy tickets now to see the movie at a local theater, you're out of luck for some local theaters.

The nation's largest theater chains including Regal Entertainment, AMC Entertainment and Cinemark USA, Inc. have stopped selling tickets for the upcoming release because of a tussle between Disney and the theater chains over shared ticket-sales revenue for the film. The groups are trying to negotiate a new agreement, according to The Wall Street Journal, but there's no word on whether a compromise is expected to be reached before the film's U.S. release.

If a deal isn't reached, which seems unlikely, Thursday's party at Homewood Suites will go on, organizers say.

<p>Marvel has invited "Iron Man 3" crew members, state and local lawmakers, including Gov. Pat McCrory, and film industry leaders to special screenings of the state's largest production in Wilmington on Sunday.</p><p>Two showings will be held that evening at Mayfaire Cinema 16, according to invitations.</p><p>The super-hero flick, which opens in theaters nationwide on May 3, filmed this past year at EUE/Screen Gems Studios, the Port of Wilmington, <a href="http://www.starnewsonline.com/section/topic9969"><b>New Hanover Regional Medical Center</b></a> and the <a href="http://www.starnewsonline.com/section/topic91"><b>Cape Fear River</b></a>, among other local spots. </p><p>For those who didn't work on the film, but still want to celebrate the local production in style, a few tickets remain for a red-carpet party Thursday that will raise money for the New Hanover Regional Medical Center's new Family House.</p><p>The event, which begins at 5:30 p.m. at Homewood Suites Wilmington at 6732 Swan Mill Road, will feature munchies, drinks and a DJ. Black-tie is optional.</p><p>Hosted by A Boxed Event and sponsored by Land Rover Cape Fear, the party and proceeds from a raffle will help fund a new hospitality house for oncology patients who have traveled from out of town, or heart patients arriving for early morning procedures at the medical center. Construction on the facility is expected to begin this summer.</p><p>If you'd rather skip all the fanfare and just buy tickets now to see the movie at a local theater, you're out of luck for some local theaters.</p><p>The nation's largest theater chains including Regal Entertainment, AMC Entertainment and Cinemark USA, Inc. have stopped selling tickets for the upcoming release because of a tussle between Disney and the theater chains over shared ticket-sales revenue for the film. The groups are trying to negotiate a new agreement, according to The Wall Street Journal, but there's no word on whether a compromise is expected to be reached before the film's U.S. release. </p><p>If a deal isn't reached, which seems unlikely, Thursday's party at Homewood Suites will go on, organizers say.</p><p>For details on the local red-carpet event, call 910-319-3272.</p><p><i></p><p>Cassie Foss: 343-2365</p><p>On <a href="http://www.starnewsonline.com/section/news41"><b>Twitter</b></a>: @WilmOnFilm</i></p>